Happy Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week – This Week and Every Week

The past few weeks have flown by, especially as I continue to build this blog — but I didn’t want to forget a very special event: Petfinder‘s Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week!

Any shelter pet may have a difficult time finding a home, but then there are some that face an even greater challenge: being discriminated against for their “less desirable” characteristics.

Unfortunately, these less desirable characteristics are many. Special needs pets (those with cerebellar hypoplasia, those who are blind, deaf or face other challenges), FIV+ cats, specific dog breeds, black cats and dogs, elderly pets and more are often overlooked.

Which pets are hardest to adopt out? Petfinder asked shelter and rescue groups:

• Senior / older pets: 30%
• Pets with medical problems: 15%
• Breeds that face prejudice (pit bulls, etc): 13%
• Shy pets: 10%
• Pets who need to be only pets: 10%

How does this impact those shelters and pets?

• 95% of shelters and rescues said they had they had pets that they had a difficult time placing in homes.
• 33% said they had pets that had been waiting for a home for 1-2 years.
• 27% said they had pets that have been waiting for a home for more than 2 years.

Yet, these pets shouldn’t be forgotten so much as celebrated! And I’m glad that Petfinder has devoted a week to them.

Little do many people know that these “less-adoptable” pets can often make the best pets in the world. Don’t like kitties jumping on your counter? Then CH kitties are for you. Looking for a mellow, tried-and-true companion? An elderly pet may be your best friend! Deaf, blind and 3-legged pets are often as capable as “regular” pets, and there’s always something to be said for adopting a pet you know is less-adoptable. It may not only make you feel good, but you give your pet a chance and spread a positive message!

But I’m preaching to the choir here, as I feel so many of us in the CH community celebrate this week every day. I know our CH kitties have changed our lives in millions of ways, and because of that we (and our pets!) are all spokespeople for this cause.

So continue to spread the word not just this week, but every week! Giving a home to a less-adoptable pet may be the best decision you ever make. I know that was the case for me!